Entity memento

ABSTRACT

A customized entity memento that provides an angel or doll representation of a deceased, sick, or missing loved one and an eclectic assortment of memento pertinent to the loved one. The tangible and visual effect of the doll and the mementos serve to console and instruct a loved one about the emotional and spiritual aspects of the loss. The customized entity memento is also a prominent visual memento to the public for memorializing the deceased. A pouch attaches to the doll to contain memento, like ashes, pictures, writings, and personal items related to the deceased. The face of the deceased is attached onto the doll. Wings extend from the doll to represent spirituality, provide aesthetics, and grasp objects. Indicia such as a heart shape, religious symbol, or text further enhance the emotional and spiritual effects. Attached instructions explain uses and benefits of the doll, and provide grievance assistance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the[U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/806,119 entitledCustomized Entity Memento filed on, Mar. 28, 2013 under 35 U.S.C.119(e). The contents of this related provisional application areincorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent thatsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to mementos.More particularly, the invention relates to a memento dedicated to adead person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thata memento is a keepsake or souvenir of remembrance. Often the deceasedare remembered through mementos.

It is known that a doll is a model of a human being or animal, oftenused as a toy for children. Dolls can be fabricated from variousmaterials, including, soft fabrics, wood, clay, and rigid plastics.Dolls have traditionally been used in magic and religious ritualsthroughout the world. The doll can be designed to represent a specificperson, or a representation of what the person embodied.

Typically, grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly tothe loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Althoughconventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also hasphysical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions.Severe grief reactions may carry over into family relations, work, andhealth.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary entityfigure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplarypersonalized portion positioned onto an exemplary entity figure, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Aillustrates an exemplary personalized portion with no image positionedinside, while FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary personalized portion witha picture of a face of the entity positioned inside;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary containerportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of exemplary indicia, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a detailed perspective view of anexemplary extension portion joined with an exemplary entity figurethrough various techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5A includes a pair of wings extending from theentity figure, FIG. 5B illustrate the extension portion partiallywrapped around the entity figure, and FIG. 5C illustrates a multiplicityof straps securing the extension portion to the entity figure, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a detailed perspective view of an exemplaryextension portion wrapped around an arm, and an exemplary entity figuredepicted as a puppet, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed perspective view of exemplary instructionportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of entity mementos that may be provided bypreferred embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, theentity memento provides a comfort and education about an entity. Theentity may include a dead person, a lost person, a dead animal, and afailed organization. The memento may provide a visual depiction of theentity in the form of an entity figure. The entity figure is designed tocreate tactile comfort and includes various symbolic items pertinent tothe entity can help in healing the emotional trauma related to the loss.Audible recordings and literature pertinent to the entity and therepresentation of the entity are provided. Specifically, the memento mayhelp teach a lesson or story to benefit the mind body spirit.

In some embodiments, the entity memento may form an entity figure, suchas a dol. The entity figure may be configured to represent the entity.For example, without limitation, a customized entity memento may providean entity figure and an eclectic assortment of at least one tributaryitem pertinent to the entity. The entity figure and the at least onetributary item may serve to console and instruct a loved one about theemotional and spiritual aspects of the loss of an entity. The customizedentity memento may also serve as a prominent visual memento to thepublic for memorializing the entity. Those skilled in the art, in lightof the present teachings, will recognize that the customized entitymemento may provide a custom tailored memento object efficacious forcapturing the love and emotions of a deceased or sick entity. It is wellknown in the art that customized mementos of the entity may be difficultto obtain in the market, especially for people who are not publicfigures.

In some embodiments, the entity memento system may include an entityfigure of a loved one who is deceased or is experiencing a healthmalady. The entity figure may include a doll like characterization ofthe entity, including, without limitation, a doll, an angel, a spiritdoll, a puppet, a human, an animal, a model of the entity, a building, aplant, a company logo, and a representation of the entity. The entityfigure may be sufficiently sized and dimensioned to be carried orstowed. A personalized portion may attach on to an appropriate locationof the entity figure. The personalized portion may allow foridentification of the entity, a eulogy for the entity, and an expressionor philosophy of the entity. In one embodiment, the personalized portionmay include an oval disk joined with the picture of the entity's face.The oval disk may then position onto the head of the entity figure.

In some embodiments, a container portion may also join with the entityfigure. The container portion provides an area created for placing itemsthat resemble the teaching of the mind body and spirit methodology. Thecontainer portion may include, without limitation, a pouch, a bag, anenvelope, and a slot. The container portion may be utilized forcontaining the at least one tributary item pertinent to the entity. Theat least one tributary item may include, without limitation, ashes ofthe entity, personal property of the entity, writings from or about theentity, and any object used or known by the entity during the entity'slife. Additionally, the memento may be used and to sell and connectholistic and alternative medicine teachings.

In some embodiments, an extension portion may extend from the entityfigure to provide a spiritual effect, and also to allow the entityfigure to attach to objects. The extension portion may include, withoutlimitation, wings, halos, arms, legs, and tails. In some embodiments, anindicia may attach to the entity figure for enhancing or highlightingthe emotional or spiritual aspects of the entity. Indicia may include,without limitation, a colorful heart on the chest area of the entityfigure, a religious symbol, a famous statement from the entity, acompany logo, and an image pertinent to the entity.

In some embodiments, an instruction portion may be included with thecustomized entity memento to provide information, including, withoutlimitation, elucidation on the entity's life, lessons on grievingmethods, and explaining how the entity figure may be utilized to assistin the grieving process. The instruction portion may be positionedinside the container portion. The instruction portion may utilize myriadmedia, including, without limitation, a book, a pamphlet, a compactdisc, a hard drive, a web site, a social site, and an audio recording.The aggregate use of the above mentioned components creates a synergythat is efficacious in helping loved ones and the public deal withemotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of the entity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary entityfigure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inone embodiment, an entity memento 100 provides a comfort and educationabout an entity. Specifically, the memento may help teach a lesson orstory to benefit the mind body spirit. In some embodiments, the entitymay include, without limitation, a deceased person, a lost person, asick person, a deceased animal, a bankrupted business, a failedorganization, and a destroyed geographic area. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the death causes psychological trauma and sadnessrelated to the loss of the entity. A visual depiction of the entity thatprovides tactile comfort and includes various symbolic items pertinentto the entity can help in healing the emotional trauma. Additionally,the memento may be used and to sell and connect holistic and alternativemedicine teachings.

In some embodiments, the entity memento can take the form of an entityFIG. 102 that visually depicts the entity by forming a visual depictionof a figurine, doll, or other tangible object. The entity figure forms avisual representation of the entity when the entity is not present, suchas after death. The visual depiction of the entity along with pertinentitems and ideas related to the entity may help minimize anxieties andfeelings of sadness regarding the absence of the entity. In someembodiments, audible recordings and literature pertinent to the entityand the representation of the entity are provided.

In one embodiment, the entity figure may include a representation of aloved one who is deceased. However, in other embodiments, the entityfigure may include, without limitation, a lost or missing entity, adeceased public figure, a religious figure, a deceased or lost animal, abankrupt business, and a political cause. In some embodiments, theentity figure may include a stuffed doll. Suitable materials for theouter surface of the entity figure may include, without limitation, acloth, cotton, a nonwoven material, plastic, rubber, hair, scales,leather, feathers, paper, and wood. The internal materials for theentity figure may include, air, sand, water, pellets, beads, plastic,metal, gel, and silicone. The entity figure may further include, withoutlimitation, arms, legs, ears, sexual organs, hair, and a tail.

In some embodiments, an indicia 104 on the outer surface may serve toenhance or highlighting the emotional or spiritual aspects of theentity. The indicia may provide an additional visual representation ofthe entity, ideas represented by the entity, religious expressionspertinent to the entity, or emotions that loved ones have towards theentity. In some embodiments, an extension portion 106 may extend fromthe entity figure to represent spirituality, provide aesthetics, and tograsp objects. In one embodiment, the extension portion may besufficiently malleable to grasp an object, so that the entity figure mayattach to a loved one, or an object in proximity to the loved one.

In some embodiments, the entity figure may provide a texture, surface,and composition that is comforting to hold and fondle. In onealternative embodiment, the entity figure may provide pressure andstress relief by being composed of a material suitable for squeezingwith the hands. The entity figure may include a custom face, tributaryitems in a pouch and wings. Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize, in light of the teaching of the present invention that thebasic function of having a customized doll figure to hold, fondle, andcarry is to capture the love and emotions into an object of the deceasedthat does not exist on the market.

Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, willrecognize that quantifying the deceased entity into a customized item,such as an angel doll with the entity's face attached may help inovercoming a loss of a loved one. For example, without limitation, theloved one now has the ability to touch something that represents thedeceased entity and the ability to hold memento of the entity. In someembodiments, the present invention may aid the loved ones to cope withsubsequent emotional suffering and psychological challenges after theentity's death or during the entity's health malady. For example,without limitation: if a person is suffering with cancer, a healingspirit doll may be custom crested to provide emotional support; ifsomeone suffered a tragic situation, an acceptance spirit doll may becustom created to help in the acceptance and healing process, if someoneis having a baby and needs spiritual comfort and guidance, a spirit dollmay be custom created to provide support, if someone needs hope for abetter future or is looking for guidance, any spirit sold can be createdby them to represent any emotional or psychological need at the time.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplarypersonalized portion positioned onto an exemplary entity figure, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Aillustrates an exemplary personalized portion with no image positionedinside, while FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary personalized portion witha picture of a face of the entity positioned inside. In someembodiments, a personalized portion 200 may attach on to an appropriatelocation of the entity figure. The personalized portion may allow foridentification of the entity, a eulogy for the entity, and an expressionor philosophy of the entity. In one embodiment, the personalized portionmay include an oval disk joined with the picture of the entity's face.The oval disk may then position onto the head of the entity figure. Thepersonalized portion may attach to the entity figure through variousfastening devices, including, without limitation, Velcro, elastic, azipper, magnet, a ribbon, a pin, and a button. In some embodiments, theface of the entity may be interchangeable to reflect the loved one'svarying moods or stages of grievance recovery. In yet anotherembodiment, the personalized portion may include text or graphics thatare pertinent to the entity. The text and graphics may include, withoutlimitation, a common phrase used by the entity, a eulogy, and an actionpose. In one alternative embodiment, the personal portion may include adigital display that displays the entity's face while talking

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary containerportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Insome embodiments, a container portion 300 may be utilized with theentity figure. The container portion provides an area created forplacing items that resemble the teaching of the mind body and spiritmethodology. The container portion include, without limitation, a pouch,a bag, an envelope, and a slot. In one embodiments, the pouch mayinclude a strap for attaching to the entity figure. However, in otherembodiments, the pouch may attach through other means, including,without limitation, Velcro, elastic, a zipper, magnet, a ribbon, a pin,and a button. In yet another embodiment, the pouch may be separate fromthe entity figure.

The container portion may be utilized for containing the at least onetributary item 302 pertinent to the entity. The at least one tributaryitem may include, without limitation, ashes of the entity, personalproperty of the entity, writings from or about the entity, and anyobject used or known by the entity during the entity's life. In oneembodiment, smooth stones, associated with spiritual healing and theafterlife may be contained in the container portion. Those skilled inthe art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that theaggregate effect of holding the entity figure and tributary items of theentity create a strong emotional tie with the entity, even if deceased.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of exemplary indicia, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, indicia may attach to the entity figure for enhancing orhighlighting the emotional or spiritual aspects of the entity. Indiciaprovide an additional visual representation of the entity, ideasrepresented by the entity, religious expressions pertinent to theentity, or emotions that loved ones have towards the entity. Indicia mayinclude, without limitation, a colorful heart on the chest area of theentity figure, a religious symbol, a famous statement from the entity, acompany logo, and an image pertinent to the entity.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a detailed perspective view of anexemplary extension portion joined with an exemplary entity figurethrough various techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5A includes a pair of wings extending from theentity figure, FIG. 5B illustrate the extension portion partiallywrapped around the entity figure, and FIG. 5C illustrates a multiplicityof straps securing the extension portion to the entity figure, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, the extension portion may extend from the entity figure torepresent spirituality, provide aesthetics, and to grasp objects. In oneembodiment, the extension portion may be sufficiently malleable to graspan object, so that the entity figure may attach to a loved one, or anobject in proximity to the loved one. Suitable materials for theextension portion may include, without limitation, wires, rubber, clay,fabric, silk, cotton, feathers, lights, plastic, metal, wood, and paper.The extension portion may include, without limitation, wings, halos,arms, legs, and tails.

Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, willrecognize that the wings may represent numerous spiritual ideas in somereligions, including, without limitation, the spirit, the pure, thevision of someone deceased and no longer with us, and the vision ofsomething that was once here on earth that is no longer in theirphysical body. The wings may further represent love and eternalcommunication between those on earth with those in spirit. In oneembodiment, the extension portion may include a pair of wings thatfunction as an elastic pocket or opening that allows a spirit doll tosnuggle into. In this embodiment, Velcro, bands, or straps may be usedfor positioning the wings on and off the spirit doll.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a detailed perspective view of an exemplaryextension portion wrapped around an arm, and an exemplary entity figuredepicted as a puppet, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 6A illustrates the extension portion wrapped around anobject. In one embodiment, the wings may wrap around an object,including, without limitation, a person's arm, a chair, a vehicle part,a stroller or anything of interest. The wing may also be utilized tohold anything that can be placed inside the wings when attached. In oneembodiment, the wings may include a fastening component that allows thewings to come together and stay in place. FIG. 6B illustrates the entityfigure in the embodiment of a puppet spirit. Those skilled in the art,in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the presentinvention includes the ability to add a feature for the entity to act asa puppet. For example, without limitation, an opening or attachment thatallows a person to move the wings or move the entire entity figure isconsidered to be a puppet.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed perspective view of exemplary instructionportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Insome embodiments, an instruction portion 700 may be included with thecustomized entity memento to help explain said memento and said entity.The instruction portion may include a sheet of instructions that provideinformation, including, without limitation, elucidation on the entity'slife, lessons on grieving methods, and explaining how the entity figuremay be utilized to assist in the grieving process. The instructionportion may be positioned inside the container portion. The instructionportion may utilize myriad media, including, without limitation, a book,a pamphlet, a compact disc, a hard drive, a web site, a social site, andan audio recording. One embodiment of the instruction portion mayinclude, without limitation, a book, or the option to come with computercapable programs that expand on the entity figure and or stories aboutthe entity figure. In one additional embodiment, a social site, such asFacebook may be utilized to allow people to express and share theirfeelings about the entity. The social site may be segregated intodifferent groups based on their area of concern or issue they arefacing. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings,will recognize that the information portion may be produced separatelyfrom the entity figure. The instruction portion may also include anaudio recording or braille.

In one alternative embodiment, the entity figure may include an audiodevice for speaking phrases, sounds, and quotes pertinent to the entity.The audio device may emit the entity's voice. In one embodiment, theaudio device may be actuated by squeezing the entity figure. In yetanother embodiment, the entity figure may include an illuminationportion for highlighting specific areas on the entity figure, including,without limitation, a yellow light emitting from the wings, a red lightemitting from a heart, and brown light emitting from the outer skin ofan African American entity.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least aportion of the novel method steps and/or system components of thepresent invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s)possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA),whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subsetof the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoingembodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for thebenefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the presentinvention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means forand/or steps described that the applications designer will selectivelydecide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particularimplementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction ofthe USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/orsystem components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g.,without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/orlocated outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remainingmethod steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, alocally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typicallyrequired to be located/performed in the USA for practicalconsiderations. In client-server architectures, a remotely locatedserver typically generates and transmits required information to a USbased client, for use according to the teachings of the presentinvention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theteachings of the present invention, which aspects of the presentinvention can or should be located locally and which can or should belocated remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the followingclaim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112 (6) it isintended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying outthe claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented withinthe jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed orlocated remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under35 USC §112 (6).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a customizedmemento for an entity according to the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the inventionhave been described above by way of illustration, and the specificembodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of thecustomized memento for an entity may vary depending upon the particularcontext or application. By way of example, and not limitation, thecustomized memento for an entity described in the foregoing wereprincipally directed to a doll like figurine that provides comfort andeducation about a deceased person implementations; however, similartechniques may instead be applied to failed businesses that can have anentity to remember any of past success, job creation, and generalmemories about the work place, which implementations of the presentinvention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosedembodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy orachieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described inthe foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A customized entity memento comprising: an entityfigure comprising a representation of an entity, said entity figureconfigured to provide comfort and education about said entity; apersonalized portion configured to depict a personal embodiment of saidentity; a container portion configured to contain at least one tributaryitem, said at least one tributary item comprising a physical or symbolicportion of said entity; an extension portion disposed to extend fromsaid entity figure; an indicia configured to display on said entity; andan instruction portion configured to help explain said memento and saidentity.
 2. The memento of claim 1, in which said memento is configuredto at least partially provide spiritual, emotional healing.
 3. Thememento of claim 2, in which said entity comprises a dead person.
 4. Thememento of claim 3, in which entity figure comprises a doll.
 5. Thememento of claim 4, in which said doll comprises an angel depiction. 6.The memento of claim 5, in which said doll comprises a soft materialcomposition.
 7. The memento of claim 6, in which said personalizedportion comprises an image of said entity.
 8. The memento of claim 7, inwhich said container portion comprises a pouch.
 9. The memento of claim8, in which said pouch comprises a strap.
 10. The memento of claim 9, inwhich said strap is configured to join said pouch with said entityfigure.
 11. The memento of claim 10, in which said at least onetributary item comprises ashes of said entity.
 12. The memento of claim11, in which said extension portion is configured to representspirituality, and/or provide aesthetics, and/or grasp an object.
 13. Thememento of claim 12, in which said extension portion comprises a pair ofangel wings.
 14. The memento of claim 13, in which said indicia portionis configured to enhance or highlighting the emotional or spiritualaspects of the entity.
 15. The memento of claim 14, in which saidindicia portion is disposed to display on said entity figure.
 16. Thememento of claim 15, in which said indicia portion comprises a hearshape.
 17. The memento of claim 16, in which said instruction portioncomprises a name, a date of birth, a date of death, and a list of familymembers for said entity.
 18. The memento of claim 17, in which saidinstruction portion comprises a description of said entity figure.
 19. Amemento comprising: means for identifying an entity; means forrepresenting said entity with an entity figure; means for joining apersonalized portion with said entity figure; means for joining acontainer portion with said entity figure; means for positioning atleast one tributary item inside said container portion; means fordisplaying an indicia on said entity figure; means for manipulating saidentity figure at an extension portion; and means for at least partiallyreceiving elucidation about said entity and said entity figure with aninstruction portion.
 20. A memento consisting of: an entity figurecomprising a representation of an entity, said entity comprising a deadperson, said entity figure comprising a doll, said entity figureconfigured to provide comfort and education about said entity; apersonalized portion configured to depict a personal embodiment of saidentity, said personalized portion comprising an image of said entity; acontainer portion configured to contain at least one tributary item,said container portion comprising a pouch, said at least one tributaryitem comprising a physical or symbolic portion of said entity, said atleast one tributary item further comprising ashes of said entity; anextension portion disposed to extend from said entity figure, saidextension portion comprising a pair of angel wings; an indiciaconfigured to display on said entity, said indicia comprising a hearshape; and an instruction portion configured to help explain saidmemento and said entity, said instruction portion comprising a name, adate of birth, a date of death, and a list of family members for saidentity.